This is page numbers 2775 - 2818 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairperson.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, June 4th, 2021, I will move the following motion: Now, therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a food securities strategy by engaging Northwest Territories residents, harvesters, and agricultural producers to develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to programs and services with specific targets, actions, and timelines.

And further, that the Premier appoint a Minister responsible for food security to lead this work; and furthermore, that the food security strategy include the following: The Government of the Northwest Territories prioritize the development of a food security strategy based on the lessons learned from community-based food security initiatives and to complete this strategy in 12 to 18 months.

The Government of the Northwest Territories begin interdepartmentally advancing food security by identifying principles for NWT food security over the next four months.

The Government of the Northwest Territories coordinate the income assistance review with the development of a Northwest Territories food security strategy to ensure the most vulnerable residents have access to affordable and nutritious food.

The Government of the Northwest Territories review the effectiveness of all Government of the Northwest Territories food security funding programs, as based on the principle for achieving Northwest Territories food security and to revise strategy and to revise program funding where necessary other six to 12 months.

The Government of the Northwest Territories implement community-based food security coordinators in the most food insecure communities in the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories remove all of its legislative and regulatory barriers over the next 12 months to facilitate regional sharing of harvested meat or other food products.

The Government of the Northwest Territories pilot an initiative immediately that improves the effectiveness of community-based freezers, kitchens, and food preparation and storage programs in the highest risk communities and use this experience to inform the development of the food security strategy.

The Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement tracking of local food production and set specific targets to improve food security; and,

The Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement a Northwest Territories food security website with email and phone contacts immediately so there's a clear point of contact in the Government of the Northwest Territories to track community concerns and advance initiatives; and furthermore,

That the government respond to this motion within 120 days. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, June 4th, 2021, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, and notwithstanding Rule 4 that when this House adjourns on Friday, June 4th, 2021, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, October 14th, 2021.

And further, at any time prior to October 14th, 2021, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that this House shall meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet in the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Notices of motion. Motions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Whereas Tabled Document 413-19(2), Emerging Stronger: Planning the NWT's Economic Recovery Together has been tabled in this House, therefore, I move, and seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Tabled Document 413-19(2), Emerging Stronger: Planning the Northwest Territories Social and Economic Recovery Together be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Motion is in order. To the motion?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

The document will be moved into the Committee of the Whole. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 30, An Act to amend the Aurora College Act be read for the second time. This bill amends the Aurora College Act to create a new approach to governance based on the introduction of a competency-based board. The bill also reallocates power from the Minister to the board to allow Aurora College to operate at arm's length from the Minister and limits the role of the Minister in the operations of Aurora College while legislating the role of the Minister and approving the mandate of Aurora College. The bill clarifies the powers and duties of the board and creates the academic council and the Indigenous knowledge-holders council to advise the board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 30 has has received second reading and is referred to standing committee. Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Bill 31: An Act ot Amend the Pharmacy Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 2787

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 31, An Act to amend the Pharmacy Act be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Pharmacy Act to add a definition of "unscheduled substance"; allow a person to sell an unscheduled substance from any retail outlet if certain conditions are met; require a person who sells a prescribed unscheduled substance by retail, or who supplies or distributes such a substance, to meet certain conditions when selling, supplying, or distributing the substance; establish regulation making authorities relating to the retail sale, supply, or distribution of prescribed unscheduled substances; allow a pharmacist to dispense a drug under the authority of an electronic prescription if certain conditions are met; change an outdated reference to a schedule of a federal regulation to make the reference current and accurate; and replace, in the English version, gender specific language with gender neutral language. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 31: An Act ot Amend the Pharmacy Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 2787

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?

Bill 31: An Act ot Amend the Pharmacy Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 2787

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Bill 31: An Act ot Amend the Pharmacy Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 2787

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 31 has received second reading and referred to standing committee. Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act to ensure continued effective regulation and oversight of the NEBF pension plan. This bill redefines the names the pension committee required under the act; changes the requirements for the composition of the pension committee; clarifies the ability of the pension committee to make rules, policies, and procedures addressing matters, including those prescribed by regulation; and allows the Commissioner and Executive Council to make regulations creating temporary exemptions from the act or temporary variations and provisions of the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

--Carried

Bill 32 has received second reading and is referred to a Standing Committee. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Bill 25; Member's Statement 161-19(2); Tabled Document 411-19(2); Tabled Document 412-19(2); Tabled Document 413-19(2); Committee Report 16-19(2) with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2787

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

CHAIRPERSON (MS. SEMMLER) I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2787

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to deal with Tabled Document 411-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022; and Committee Report 16-19(2), Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords. Thanks, Madam Chair.

CHAIRPERSON (MS. SEMMLER) Thank you. Does committee agree? Thank you, committee. We'll take a short recess and resume with the first item.

---Short recess

CHAIRPERSON (MS. SEMMLER) Tabled Document 411-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. One, 2020-2022. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2787

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm here to present Supplementary Estimates, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No 1, 2021-2022.

The supplementary estimates document proposes a total increase of $106.7 million comprised of the following major areas:

  • $99.3 million for infrastructure expenditures spending for projects that were not completed in 2020-2021. This amount is fully offset by lapses and appropriations in 2020-2021.
  • $2.5 million to increase the community public infrastructure funding to support communities in reducing the municipal funding gap.

That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

CHAIRPERSON (MS. SEMMLER) Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the House? Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the chamber. Will the Minister please introduce her witnesses.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 2787

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, on your right is Jamie Koe, assistant deputy minister for the Department of Finance, and on your left is Terrence Courtoreille, the director of the Management Board Secretariat.

CHAIRPERSON (MS. SEMMLER) Thank you. I will now open the floor for general comments. Seeing no further general comments -- seeing no general comments, we'll review the supplementary estimates by department.

The committee has agreed to forego general comments on each department. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document? Committee has agreed to begin the review of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Committee will begin on page 6.

Are there any questions or comments in regards to Education, Culture and Employment?

Okay. Supplementary Estimates, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022. Department of Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, junior kindergarten to grade 12 school services, not previously authorized, $2,566,000. Member for Frame Lake.